Process and apparatus for separating disintegrated solid materials



Aug. 26, 1941. BQER 2,254,135

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING DISINTEGRATED SOLID MATERIALS FiledSept. 8, 1959 v e Sheets-Sheet Aug. 26, 1941. A. BOER. 2,254,135

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING DISINTEGRATED SOLID MATERIALS FiledSept. 8, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 26, 1941. A BOER 2,254,135

' PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING DISINTEGRATED sown MATERIALSFiled Sept. 8, 1939 s Sheets-SheetS Aug. 26, 1941. A, QE 2,254,135

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING DISINTEGRATED soup MATERIALS FiledSept. 8, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIIII: V N

Aug. 26, 1941. A. BOER 7 2,254,135

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING DISINTEGRATED soup MATERIALS FiledSept. 8, 1939 6 Shets-Sheet 5' SIIZZ PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR- SEPARATING DI SINTEGRATED SOLID MATERIALS Filed Sept. 1939 V 6Sheets-Sheet 6" Patented Aug. 26, 1941 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FORSEPARAT- IN G DISINTEGBATED SOLID MATERIALS Arpad Boer, Martinez,Argentina Application 3 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved process and apparatus forseparating solid, physically disintegrated materialsof mineral,vegetable or animal origin; mixtures or conglomerates thereof, either ina natural, dried or desiccated condition, in the shape of powder or in agranular, fibrous, cellular or'other similar condition, according to theproperties of their molecular components, and for classifying or gradingthe components consisting of similar materials by their surfaces andmasses by means of the difference of their electric charge. Theparticles of material to be separated and classified by beingelectrically charged and thus converted into carriers of electricity, insimilar conditions and by the same process, receive their electriccharges-volume or amount of electricity-in accordance with theparticular features of one of their physical properties, i. e., theirelectric conductivity, and the particles of similar material inproportion to their surfaces.

The said differentiation of the electric charges, in accordance with thequality arid surface of the particles charged with electricity orcarriers of electricity," and the behaviour of the same while movinginto the electric field, constitute the basis of this invention.

By physically disintegrating the solid materials,

as by crushing, grinding, tearing, raveling, card- September 8, 1939,Serial No. 294,008 In Argentina April 13, 1939 by the same. By transferof the respective electric charges, it is to. be understood that theparti-- cles carrying negative electricity, will give off their excessof' electrons, while the carriers of positive electricity, will completetheir electronic condition by withdrawing electrons from the electrode.

For the separation and classification in the electric field of theparticles physically disintegrated from the material to be treated andconverted'into carriers of electricity, the following factors willintervene, viz: the electric charge the electric field in the directionof trajectory of the traveling particles when entering the same. Inorder to perform the separation and classification within the smallestpossible space, I prefer to use electric fields arrangedin series, ofincreasing intensity.

The amount, intensity and longitudinal dimensions of the electricfield'in series will depend on the number of molecular qualitativecomponents to be separated and the necessary classiing, combing, etc.,and by causing the particles fication of particles of similar chemicalcompothus produced to enter into the classifying and separatingapparatus, owing to the friction thereby brought about, electricity isbeing generated which, under certain conditions, may supply the sitionwithin the maximum and minimum limits of surface and volume of the same.

The variation of intensity of the several electric fields in seriesis'obtained by varying the elecparticles under treatment with anelectrical tric tension of their electrodes, by maintaining charge,thereby converting the same into carriers of electricity." Y

By their contact with conductors charged with electricity, the particlesof the material to be The electricity carrying particles of the mate- 50rial to be separated and classified, are caused to pass through the gapof an electric field or fields, the electrodes of which will attract theparticles of opposite polarity, which by transferring their separatedand classified, are also converted into 40 the gaps between the same orby altering the distance between the limits or electrodes of theelectric fields, while keeping constant the electrical tension. f

By varying the intensity and the longitudinal dimension of the electricfield, the necessary amount o energy in the same is secured fordeviating from their trajectory and attracting toward their limitstheparticles of a given material of a maximum surface and volume, chargedwith electricity, which will enter the electric field with an adequatespeed.

The essential features of this process will not be altered by the factthat in order to attract the electricity carrying particles, a positiveor a negative electrode, or both a positive and a negative electrode ofelectric field are being used, since the convenient operation electriccharges will adhere to, or will be repelled of the process only dependson the kind of electric charge carried by the particles of the materialto be separated and classified.

An electric generator is used for keeping constant the tension betweenthe electrodes of the electric fields while the classifying andseparating process is being performed by attraction towardthe limit ofthe electric field or electrode of the particles carrying electricity ofopposite polarity. The energy necessary for performing this work, issupplied by the current generator.

The electric separating and classifying apparatus which forms the objectof this invention, has been designed in such a way that the limits ofthe electric fields or electrodes are constructed of cylindrical shape..This arrangement allows of using a maximum extent of useful surface ofthe limits of the electric field. in accordance with this invention.

In order to facilitate the understanding of this invention, ,anapparatus constructed in accordance with the same has been shown, by wayof example, in the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section of the upper part of theseparating and classifying apparatus.

, guide rail of the rotary drum.

Figure 6 is a vertical section of the lower part of the separator, inaccordance with Figure 1.

Figure 7 shows a vertical section of the lower part of the separator,taken perpendicularly to the plan view of Figure 6, in accordance withFigure 2.

Figure 8 is a view in cross section of the lower part of the apparatus.

Figure 9 shows a plan view of a brush used for separating the particles,with its flexible driving shaft.

Figure 10 illustrates a cross section of a ball bearing.

Figure 11 is a brush.

Figure 12 is a vertical section of of the brush.

Figure 13 shows a plan view of the feeding hopper.

Figure 14 is a plan view of the position of. the brush of the lastelectrical field.

Fig. 15 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a device forneutralizing the electric tension of the conveying tubes.

Fig. 15a is an end elevation of the construethe bearing non shown inFig. 3.5.

Figure 16 illustrates the arrangement and distribution of the wiring ofthe electric generator, of the feeder of the ionising field and theelectrical fields in series of the apparatus.

Similar letters of reference have been used to indicate like orcorresponding parts in all the several views.

The particles of material to be separated are fed into the cylindricalhopper i, provided with -a conical bottom, whence they fall by gravitythrough the annular opening 2 into the ionising field A-B. An even andsteady descent of the material from the hopper through the plan view ofthe bearing of the The toothed wheel 3 is driven by means of a drivingshaft 5, through the gear wheel 6.

The ionising field A--B consists of a negative electrode with pointsarranged in series, as at A, amid the positive electrode 13, of a largersurface, in proportion, than the total surface of the series ofpoints A.The electrodes A and B are connected to a high tension generator. Fromthe said current discharging points, electrons are being constantlydelivered by the electrode A, which tend to reach the positive electrodeB.

The particles which fall by gravity through the opening 2, are made totravel across the trajectory of said electrons in the field A-B, and byabsorption they will become ionised and converted into carriers ofelectricity, 1. e., in this case they will become charged with an excessof electrons withdrawn from those which are being emitted by the currentflowing through the points of the electrode A.

The particles on their descent by gravity will leave, as carriers ofelectricity, the ionising field and enter the electric field Al, Bi,formed by the stationary negative electrode Al, of cylindrical shape,and the cylindrical rotary positive electrode Bi. the cylindricalsurface of the electrode Al and BI is coaxial.

The apparatus according to this invention is constructed, as shown inFigure 16, with electrical fields in series, of different intensities,the degree of intensity increasing in the required proportion, the fieldbeing arranged in a manner similar to the electrical fields AI, Bl.

The electrode BI is secured by means of the insulators Ci, Ci to theouter rotary cylinder or drum D. The electrode Bl receives itselectrical charge by means of the conductor ring E, insulated by thetube Ci, from the drum D.

The conductor E is electrically connected across the insulating tube Cl,by means of the metallic conductor F, snugly fitted to the same, saidconductor being carried by insulator CB.

As has been shown in cross section in Figures 4 and 5, the drum Dirotates on the guide rails 'l and 8, between the roller bearings Q andi0. An oil cup or reservoir G is used for lubricating the tracks of theball bearings. In order to prevent the particles which may escape fromthe separator from entering into and accumulating within the saidbearings, the circular guide rails are provided with protecting sheets Hand Hi which apply against the walls of the drum D.

In accordance with Figures 1 and 3, the rotation of the drum D, and theelectrode Bi is performed by means of gear rings formed on the outeredges of said drums and which engage with the gears if, i2 and i3,rotated by the shaft of the main driving gear. 1 As the particles of thematerial to be separated and classified arrive, as carriers ofelectricity, at the electric field Al, Bi, A2, B2, A3, B3, etc., theyare submitted to the attraction exerted by the positive rotaryelectrodes Bi, B2, B3, etc.

The particles of material to be separated and class fied which are ofsmall mass or weight and The relative position of a which they weresubmitted during their travel proportionally of large surfacedimensions,being carriers of electricity-negative, in this case,

will readily overcome gravity and, following the attraction exerted bythe positive electrode B, will reach this latter, give off their chargeand adhere to the electrode Bl.

The particles dragged along up to the electrodes Bl, B2, .83, etc., butwhich do not adhere to the same, will fall into the annular groove orchannel II, I2, 13', etc.

' The electricity-carrying particles of heavier mass and proportionallysmaller surface dimen-' sions, will require greater attracting forces tohelp them to overcome gravity and allow of being carried toward some ofthe electrodes, arranged in series, with increasing intensity of theelectrical field. as has been shown in Figure 16.

- The particles adhering to the rotating electrodes Bl, B2, B8, etc.,are detached therefrom by means of the brush H which rotates in adirection opposite to that of the electrodes. The particles detached bythe brush I will fall into the mouth of the conveyor tubes l5. Rotarymotion is transmitted to the brush H by means of a rubber wheel IS onthe flexible driving shaft ll (Fig. 9), having a worm "a, meshing withworm gear ilb on shaft I8.

In order to secure the necessary pressure of the brush and to compensatefor the separation caused by wear from the rotary electrode, accordingto Figures 10, 11 and 12, the axle of the brush i8 is slidablehorizontally within the groove or channel I 9, being pressed by thespring 20 while resting on the ball bearing 2| toward the relatedelectrode. Around the axle of the brush I8 is arranged a protectingsheet 22, for preventing the powder from penetrating into the bearing.

The part of the electric field within which are arranged and operate thebrushes, is closed by a partition K. The particles whichfall into thesegment defined by the partition K, (see Fig. 14) where the attractionexerted by the electrode armature ceases to act, are collected in thecontainer L and conveyed by the conveyor tube M. made of insulatingmaterial.

through all the electric fields, will finally fall into the annulargrooves, of increasing radii,

The particles accumulated within the annular 4 grooves Il', I2, 13',etc., are carriedby the movable arm 23 mounted on the rotary cylinder Btowards the openings 24 which form the mouths of the .conveyor tubes 25(Figures 1, 6 and 8).

In order to neutralize the considerable electric tensions createdbetween the rotary electrodes and earth, transmitted by the adheringparticles of the conveyor tubes l5 and 25 and by the connection betweenthe falling particles, suitable conductors for neutralizing saidelectric tensions have been arranged within said conveyor tubes, formed,as shown in Figure 15, of two. caps 26 of insulating material, connectedby the insulating rods 21 and between which is arranged the cylinder 28,also of insulatin material, of a larger diameter than the conveyortubes.

The operation is based on the principle that .troughs, and individualexpansion cylindersthe particles, on arriving at'a larger space, willseparate one from another and thus reduce electric contact. It will benecessary to clean from time to time the walls of the cylinder 28, in

order to prevent the particles accumulated thereon, from acting aselectric conductors.-

The electricity-carrying particles which by their weight and by gravityhave partially overcome the attracting forces of the electrodes toindicated at 0, 0|, O2, O3 and 04, arranged at the lower part of theapparatus, where they will separate according to their masses or weight,

in a decreasing order, since the attracting forces .The particles ofmaterial accumulated in the circular grooves 0, 0!, O2, 03, 04 areconveyed by means of a semi-circular gear 29, mounted tomove-on theguide rail "30 which operates the paddles 3| for pushing the materialinto the orifices 32; .the semi-circular gear is operated.

from the axle 33 by means of the gear wheels 34, 35, 38 and 31. Asuitable device 38 has been provided for assuring the reversal ofmotion.

It will be evident'that several modifications of construction and detailmight be introduced without departing from the scope of this invention,as clearly defined and set forth in the claims annexed to thisspecification.

Having now clearly described and ascertained the nature of my saidinvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare thatwhat I claim anddeslre to secureby Letters Patent, is:

1. In an electrical precipitation separator, a stationary verticallyextending central electrode, a plurality of annular electrodes arrangedmutually spaced and electrically insulated in a vertical stacksurrounding said central electrode, a series of concentric annularcollecting troughs arranged at the bottom of said stack, and means forapplying between said central electrode and said annular electrodes highvoltages which progressively increase from an upper annular electrode toannularelectrodes lower in said stack, whereby comminuted materialsdelivered at the top of said stack are electrically charged and separateinto said respective-troughs according to their respective surfaces andmasses, individual discharge conduits from each of said formed ofinsulating material and connected in each of said conduits for thereinseparating the stream of particles through said conduit into a pluralityof streamlets for reducing the integrated electrostatic efieet thereof.

2. In an electrical precipitation separator, a stationary verticallyextending central electrode, a plurality of annular electrodes arrangedmutually spaced and electrically insulated'in a vertical stacksurrounding said central electrode, a'

series of concentric annular collecting troughs arranged at the bottomof said stack, and means for applying between said central electrode andsaid annular electrodes high voltages which progressively increase froman upper annular elec-- trode to annular electrodes lower in said stack,whereby comminuted materials delivered at the top of said stack areelectrically charged and separate into said respective troughs accordingto their respective surfaces and masses, means for rotating the annularelectrodes, a plurality of brushes respectively mounted within saidannular electrodes engageable with the inner surface thereof forremoving particles adherent thereto. and auxiliary collectorsrespectively positioned adiacent said brushes for collecting materialbrushed from said electrodes,

3. The method oi! electrically separating commlnuted materials accordingto their respective particle sizes and superficial areas whichconsistsin dropping the particles thereof through a vertically arranged seriesotconcentric radial electrostatic fields whose intensities increase 10progressively downwardly, selectively collecting into ranges theparticles at the bottom or said series according to the distance atwhich said particles alight from the center of said radial fields, thenreducing the total electrostatic charge on each 01' said ranges byseparating the stream or discharged particles constituting each oi'saidranges by enlarging said stream into a plurality of discrete streamlets.

ARPAD BOER.

